Pathology Support Unit Manager | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 17 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £47,810 - £54,710 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 April 2026 |
| Location: | Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD |
| Company: | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7879510/430-CC26-767A |
Summary
Pathology Support Unit Manager
Department: Blood Sciences and Microbiology
Band 7 £47,810 - £54,710 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week , all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual to lead our Pathology Support Unit (PSU) and support the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services across the Trust.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys leading teams, improving services, and ensuring operational excellence in a busy healthcare environment.
The post holder will manage pathology reception, phlebotomy services, and referral testing processes, ensuring these services operate efficiently and provide a responsive interface between clinical users and the laboratory. You will lead a team of Healthcare Science Assistants and Phlebotomy staff and contribute to the continued development of an integrated and effective pathology support service.
The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening the Pathology Support Unit, ensuring specimen reception, referral testing and phlebotomy services operate as a coordinated, efficient and patient-focused service that supports the wider laboratory and clinical teams.
Interview date: w/c 13 April 2026
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role
'They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%.' NHS Staff Survey 2024
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This role requires the holder to be the lead for the Pathology Support Unit (PSU) including managing the staff and processes within it. The post holder will establish the pathology reception area as a functional interface between the users and laboratory. The post involves participation in and organisation of training and supervision of staff. The post holder will:
• manage change in the ways that the sample reception service is provided to improve that service, including creating a single cohesive unit.
• manage the referral process of all Blood Science specimens requiring specialised analysis, assists in monitoring reference supplier performance and management of the receipt of those results facilitating post analytical activity for referred investigations.
PSU is also responsible for the pathology facilitated phlebotomy service to Acute Trust clinical locations.
The Pathology Support Manager is responsible for delivery of this service to ensure it is responsive to clinical requirements within budgetary constraints; monitor phlebotomy activity and staff performance; produce reports providing assurance of service delivery and that lead to service improvement.
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Key working relationships
Internally
Perform role under direction of Blood Science Manager and work independently in their absence.
Provide leadership to all staff teams within PSU/Phlebotomy
Externally
Communicate with GP Practice Managers and CCG personnel to provide a responsive service. Deliver presentations if required.
Liaise with Referral Laboratory suppliers to ensure an appropriate service is received.
Develop a fully integrated pathology reception service, providing a single first point of contact for all pathology service users.
Manage the change required to move from separate receptions employing staff from different departments to a single section and workforce, including establishing and maintaining rotas and work processes to ensure an efficient service
Provide professional advice and expertise within the scope of service of the Pathology Support Unit. Communication and education of laboratory policies to staff and users. Ensure the communication of problem samples to clinicians and/or senior colleagues.
Communicate with the users and other support services to facilitate the pre and post analytical phases of the laboratory service. Ensure service users have access to and comply with guidance regarding patient safety, specimen collection, integrity and transport leading to Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) in patient care.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
This advert closes on Tuesday 31 Mar 2026